Mr.Children is one of the most popular bands in Japan. They made their major debut in 1992 with the release of their first album, "EVERYTHING", but it wasn't until one of their singles was used as a drama theme song, like their fourth single "Cross Road", that they started getting noticed. They got their big break in 1994 with the release of their fifth single, "innocent world", which made record sales and earned the Japan Record Award in 1994. Their fourth album, "Atomic Heart", which was released in the same year, is still their top selling album to date. Since then, all their singles have been number one hits in the Oricon charts like "Tomorrow never knows" and "Namonaki-uta", and many of them became million sellers, and they've produced other noteworthy albums.
In 1997, they took a long vacation, and came back to the Japanese music scene the next year with the single "Owari-naki-tabi."
Their sound is essentially a blend of light pop and classic rock. But due to the band's inclination to experiment with various music styles, their sound is constantly evolving. They have delved into various types of rock as well as jazz, blues, folk, country, and dance. Despite this constant change, however, their music has progressed successfully, proving them to be a versatile band that can last.
The main force behind the band is their singer and songwriter, Kazutoshi Sakurai, who composes almost all of their songs. The rest of the band include Kenichi Tahara on guitar, Keisuke Nakagawa on bass, and Hideya Suzuki (Jen) on drums and backing vocals. They also have supporting musicians on keyboards, guitar, brass instruments (trumpet and saxophone), and computer programming for their tours because they usually embellish their recordings.
It must be noted that a good part of what makes Mr.Children's songs unique is Sakurai's remarkable vocal ability. His vocal range is higher than the typical male range, and he sings with a noticeable Western style. Also, it is because he is influenced by the great classic rock artists of the '60s and '70s (in particular, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones) that the band's music usually has a classic rock feel. But being the vocalist of the band doesn't prevent him from sometimes sharing guitar solos with Tahara, or playing them by himself. He also plays the piano and harmonica proficiently.
Tahara and Nakagawa are the quietest members of the group, often choosing to remain in the background when the band appears on TV shows. Jen seems to be the most extroverted member who takes his top off onstage at any opportunity. He also always matches Sakurai's sense of humor. They are all very talented musicians who make vital contributions to the band.
On December 31, 2004, their song "Sign," was again awarded the Japan Record Award, ten years after the first.
Mr. Children has a long-time association with the Toys Factory record label.
Mirror
Mr.Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
こんな想いを抱いてた
ありふれて使い古した言葉を並べて
Oh, love, love, love, love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love, love
Oh, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, hmm
窓際に腰を下ろして
フォークギター鳴らしては
風立ちぬ夕暮れの空に向け歌う
そりゃ碌でもなく
ポップなんてものでもなく
ましてヒットの兆しもない
ただあなたへと想いを走らせた
単純明解な love song
舗道に沿って幸せそうに
歩き出した恋人達を
羨むように讃えるように
そっと君を待っている
人前で泣いたことのない
そんな強気なあなたでも
絶望の淵に立って
迷う日もあるでしょう
夢に架かる虹の橋
希望の光の矢
愛を包むオーロラのカーテン
その全てが嘘っぱちに見えて
自分を見失う様なときは
あなたが誰で何の為に生きてるか
その謎が早く解けるように
鏡となり 傍に立ち
あなたを映し続けよう
そう願う今日この頃です
The lyrics of Mr.Children's Mirror describe the experience of unrequited love and the feelings of desperation and hopelessness that come with it. The singer has been carrying these unexpressed feelings for some time and has resorted to using overused and cliche words to try to articulate them. The chorus repeats the word "Love" multiple times, emphasizing how this emotion is all-consuming and overwhelming in the face of rejection.
The second verse describes the singer sitting by the window, strumming a guitar and singing into the evening sky. This is a simple act of catharsis, a way for the singer to release their feelings and offer them up to the universe. The lyrics acknowledge that this is not a "pop" song or a guaranteed hit; it is just a simple love song with no grand aspirations other than to convey the singer's feelings to the object of their affections.
The bridge of the song speaks directly to the listener, urging them to reflect on their own life and purpose. The lines about the "rainbow bridge of dreams," the "arrow of hope," and the "curtain of the aurora that surrounds love" all suggest that life is full of hope and beauty, even in the midst of despair. The final lines of the song express the hope that the listener will find clarity and purpose in their life and that the singer will always be there for them, reflecting back their true self through the mirror of their love.
Line by Line Meaning
いつの間にやり場もなく
Without even realizing it, I had nowhere to go with these feelings.
こんな想いを抱いてた
I was holding onto these complicated emotions.
ありふれて使い古した
The words I used were ordinary and overused.
言葉を並べて
Arranging the words in a certain order.
oh Love Love Love Love
Oh, love, love, love, love.
Love Love Love
Love, love, love.
Love Love Love Love Love
Love, love, love, love, love.
oh Love Love Love Love
Oh, love, love, love, love.
Love Love Love uh…
Love, love, love, uh...
窓際に腰を下ろして
Sitting by the window.
フォークギター鳴らしては
Playing the folk guitar.
風立ちぬ夕暮れの空に向け歌う
Singing into the evening sky as the wind blows.
そりゃ碌でもなく
Not accomplishing anything significant.
ポップなんてものでもなく
Not even pop music.
ましてヒットの兆しもない
Not even showing any signs of becoming a hit.
ただあなたへと想いを走らせた
Just letting my feelings run towards you.
単純明解な Love Song
A simple, straightforward love song.
舗道に沿って幸せそうに
Along the sidewalk, they look so happy.
歩き出した恋人達を
The lovers who started walking.
羨むように讃えるように
They are praised as if envied.
そっと君を待っている
I'm waiting for you quietly.
人前で泣いたことのない
Even though you've never cried in front of anyone.
そんな強気なあなたでも
You, who appear so confident.
絶望の淵に立って
Standing at the edge of despair.
迷う日もあるでしょう
There will be days when you'll be lost.
夢に架かる虹の橋
The rainbow bridge in your dream.
希望の光の矢
The arrow of hope's light.
愛を包むオーロラのカーテン
The aurora curtains that wrap around love.
その全てが嘘っぱちに見えて
All of it seems like a lie.
自分を見失う様なときは
When you're losing sight of yourself.
あなたが誰で何の為に生きてるか
Who and what are you living for?
その謎が早く解けるように
May that mystery be solved quickly.
鏡となり 傍に立ち
I become the mirror and stand beside you.
あなたを映し続けよう
Continuously reflecting you.
そう願う今日この頃です
That's what I've been wishing for lately.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kazutoshi Sakurai
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind